Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
UN says Libya arms embargo 'totally ineffective' A United Nations panel of experts accused several member states, including Turkey and Russia, of fueling the Libyan conflict. Libya
April showers bring … growing violence in southeast Turkey? Both the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers Party are feverishly preparing for expected heavy clashes in the spring. Turkey
How Hebron shooting highlights shift in Israeli society Contrary to the first intifada, where violations of the IDF code of ethics was considered shocking, many Israelis now support soldiers who act immorally. Israel
The collapse of Iraq's Shiite alliance Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr co-opts popular reform movement; Erdogan’s bid for empowered presidency linked to war with PKK; Turkey feels pressure to intensify fight against Islamic State; Backlash over Egyptian government crackdown on media. Egypt
Aleppo sees cautious calm amid cease-fire The truce agreement between opposition and government forces has allowed life to return to many areas in Syria, but many residents worry that it won't last long. Syria
Will US-Saudi 'special relationship' last? Despite what many observers see as a strain in US-Saudi relations over very different if not completely opposite foreign policy postures, the two countries' shared interests remain a firm and unchanging foundation for their cooperation. Saudi Arabia
Syria's withering agricultural sector Five years into the raging revolution, Syria's once-flourishing agricultural system is threatened with complete collapse. Syria
Can Egypt's parliament learn from Israeli Knesset? Egyptian member of parliament Sayed Farag has sparked controversy with his call for a parliamentary delegation to visit the Knesset to discuss pending issues between the two countries and take advantage of Israel's military experience. Egypt
Can the Islamic State be defeated without Kurds? Turkey insists Rojava's People's Protection Units must be excluded from the fight against the Islamic State on the Menbic-Jarablus front. Syria
Congress ponders 'Marshall Plan' for Egypt Lawmakers are split over whether they have a friend in Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Private collectors fuel demand for looted Mideast antiquities Archaeological experts say social dislocation and terrorism are increasing the ability of organized gangs to traffic artifacts to clients in Europe, Asia and the United States. Yemen
Saudi-Iran rivalry spills into UN Human Rights Council While Iran was unhappy with the renewal of Ahmed Shaheed’s mandate as special rapporteur for Iran, it appears to be even more irritated over how Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar voted in favor of the measure at the UN Human Rights Council. Saudi Arabia
Despite criticism, Rouhani calls for more international deals President Hassan Rouhani warns that opportunities arising from the nuclear deal won't last forever and Iran must take advantage of them and engage with the world. Iran
